Lone Star Holiday

by Jolene Navarro

Yolanda crossed the room to block Vickie’s path. “She doesn’t have a history. You made it up. You lied, and I let you. This time I’m not going to let you chase her out of town. This is her home, too.”

  Vickie gasped, her mouth opening and closing. Her heavy breathing filled the air. “But she...”

  Jake positioned himself next to Vickie. “That’s enough. In high school we all stayed silent. It stops tonight, Vickie. We’re adults now. It’s time to grow up.” He looked Lorrie Ann in the eye. “I’m sorry for not speaking up when the rumors grew.”

  Seth left the corner and grabbed his mother’s hand. “Mom, let’s go, please.”

  “But I... She...” Vickie pointed to Lorrie Ann. “She doesn’t have a right to be here. I didn’t...”

  John stepped toward Vickie and prayed for the right way to handle the situation. He forced his jaw to relax, wanting to defend Lorrie Ann but knowing he also had to be Vickie’s pastor. Anger and bitterness surrounded Vickie.

  “Vickie, gossip and rumors have no place in the church.” He stopped a few feet away from her and put his hand on Seth’s shoulder. The boy’s face burned red, and he kept his eyes down. “I know this has been a brutal year for you, but turning on others isn’t the answer.”

  Seth glanced at him from under long bangs. He turned to his mother. “Mom. Please, can we just leave?”

  Jake held out his arm. “Come on. I’ll make sure you get home safe.” He glanced at Lorrie Ann. “I’ll call the sheriff and see that Brent gets all the way out of town.”

  With a glance filled with resentment, Vickie allowed her son and Jake to pull her from the room.

  The three deacons lingered by the opposite door, ready to make a quick exit. “Well, um...it’s late. We should be going. Call us if you need anything, Pastor.” They each nodded to the women. “Night, Yolanda. Lorrie Ann.”

  Yolanda’s gentle voice bid them a good night.

  Lorrie Ann sat alone, her bag pulled close, not saying a word.

  As soon as the men closed the door behind them, she turned to Yolanda. “Yolanda, thank you. After dealing with Brent, I didn’t know what to say to Vickie. Thanks for standing up for me.”

  Yolanda rushed to her side, sitting next to her. “Oh, Lorrie Ann, I’m so sorry it was twelve years too late. I should’ve done that back in high school. I was so afraid of her, and, well, jealousy is just ugly.”

  Lorrie Ann’s forehead went into deep wrinkles, and her gaze jumped to Yolanda’s face. “Jealousy? Why would you be jealous of me?”

  The younger woman laughed and pulled Lorrie Ann close. In that moment, she resembled her mother. “It’s really lame, but I thought my mom loved you more. At school, you were so cool, and the teachers would always compare my work to yours. Then there was your singing.”

  “How sad are we? I always felt like an intruder.” Lorrie Ann tucked her hair behind her ears. “Remember when we were little and told each other all our secrets?”

  Yolanda took her cousin’s hand in hers. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you. Especially when Vickie spread those ugly lies. You couldn’t even trust me enough to let me know what’s been going on the past few weeks.”

  “I’ve handled everything wrong.” Lorrie Ann used the pad of her thumb to wipe a tear off Yolanda’s cheek. “Tell you what. I’ll forgive our teenage drama if you forgive me for discounting our friendship all these years.”

  Yolanda pulled Lorrie Ann close again. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness.”

  “The stories Vickie told about me in high school might have been lies, but the choices I’ve made since are all mine.” Lorrie Ann pulled away from Yolanda.

  John watched her move across the room to gather up supplies. With his elbows on his knees, he rested his chin in the palm of his hand. He still needed to battle down his own anger at the attacks both Brent and Vickie had brought into the church. He didn’t trust himself to speak right now, so he continued to listen and pray.

  With her back turned to him, her voice sounded muffled, but he could still hear the uncertainty. “Coming here might have been a mistake. Church has never seemed like a good place for me to be.”

  John sat up, unable to allow that comment to go unchallenged. “Lorrie Ann, the church should be a place of refuge, a safe corner in a world of devastating storms. What happened here tonight had nothing to do with God, but you handled both with grace. This church belongs to you as much as anyone else. You belong to God. Can you forgive us?” He stood in front of her now, wanting to take her in his arms.

  “Us? You didn’t have anything to do with it.” Her eyes looked huge as she gazed up at him.

  “You’ve had so many arrows thrown at your heart. I shouldn’t have allowed it to happen tonight.”

  Lorrie Ann smiled. “You can’t be everywhere all the time. I’m thinking about the scripture you gave Aunt Maggie to read tonight. It said our troubles are small and won’t last forever. But they give us glory in the long run.” Lorrie Ann reached for Yolanda’s hand. “I faced my monsters tonight and realized they are just hurt people. For twelve years I’ve been running. No more.”

  Yolanda hugged her. “I’ve missed you.” A cell phone went off in the kitchen. “Oh, that’s Mom’s ringtone.” Yolanda rushed to answer her phone. “Hey, Mom, Lorrie Ann’s fine. Yeah, he’s gone.” She looked to John and Lorrie Ann. “I’m with John and Lorrie Ann now.” She smiled and nodded to whatever Maggie said on the other end. “Okay, I’ll tell her. Love you.”

  “So what did Aunt Maggie say?” Lorrie Ann asked.

  “Apparently, Rachel and Celeste are worried about you and waiting for their story.”

  John had his phone out to call the girls.

  “I came with Mom, so I need a ride to my place.”

  Pulling the keys from her bag, Lorrie Ann handed them to Yolanda. “Here, take my car, and I’ll ride to the house with John.”

  John walked to the door. “Sounds like a plan. The girls are anxious to see Lorrie Ann.”

  Yolanda followed them out and waited as John locked the building.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you, Yolanda.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” Yolanda wrapped her in a hug before getting in the little sports car.

  John held open his passenger door and waited for Lorrie Ann to buckle up. They watched as the BMW backed out and drove down Main Street before heading home.

  * * *

  Driving over Second Crossing, John’s thoughts were still centered around Lorrie Ann. She came across as strong, but there was vulnerability at her core that made him want to protect her. She had not had many people to trust in her life, starting with her mother. To be that man for her scared him. He had let Carol down. She had deserved a better husband than the one he was to her. He hadn’t been able to protect his wife. What worm in his brain made him think he could do any better for Lorrie Ann?

  He thought of Lorrie Ann’s mother. Sonia was afraid of disappointing her daughter after years of struggling with alcohol and drugs. She had made Maggie and him promise not to tell Lorrie Ann about her going through rehab in San Antonio. She was just an hour away and afraid to see her daughter. Maybe he had something in common with her. They both were cowards. He gave a short laugh.

  “What?”

  He shook his head and grinned at her. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

  John pulled in front of his cabin and cut the engine, but instead of getting out, they both stared at the dark landscape surrounding the cabin in silence. He wanted to give her some extra time to calm her nerves. To be honest, he really wanted to wrap her in his arms and protect her from the ugliness of the world.

  “Thank you, John. I like to pretend I’m strong and independent, but I felt much safer when you charged into the room.” She looked out the side window, her fingers playing with
the handle but not opening the door.

  “You are strong and independent. Doesn’t mean you don’t need support.”

  The porch light came on, and Aunt Maggie stepped outside, peering into the darkness.

  John laughed. “I feel like a teenager bringing home his date.” He turned to her. “Ready?”

  With a nod, she climbed out of his truck. He followed her, grinning as she marched straight to his room, where the girls waited. She barely stopped for a quick hug with her aunt.

  Maggie laid a hand on his arm. “Is she okay? I’ve been praying nonstop since I left with the girls.”

  He nodded. “You’d be proud.” He smiled down at the fierce prayer warrior. “God works in strange ways.”

  “Yes, He does.”

  John leaned against the railing. “Have you told her about her mother yet?”

  “No.” She sighed and shook her head. “Sonia’s afraid. I told her Lorrie Ann could handle it, but you know how guilt eats at people.”

  “The longer we keep it from her, the more betrayed she’s going to feel.”

  Maggie laid a hand on his shoulder. “I know. I’ll talk to Sonia again. With Lorrie Ann in town, there is no excuse.” She sighed and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s been a long day. Good night.”

  “Night, Maggie.”

  A little bit later, the door eased open, and Lorrie Ann’s head poked through. “Ah, there you are. Not sure if you had gone to bed yet.”

  He spent a moment just watching her move next to him before speaking. The cool breeze pushed her dark curls from her face. “The girls got their princess story?”

  She cut her gaze to him for a quick second before going back to the stars. “Yeah, thanks for letting me tuck them in. Who would have guessed the highlight of my week would be a bedtime fairy tale?”

  “The smallest things in life can be the biggest blessings.”

  “I think I’m starting to see that.” She rubbed her hands together and tucked them under her arms. “I’ll come by in the morning and help with breakfast.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Give you time to shave in peace.”

  “Ah, yes, the little things.” He walked her across the graveled path to Maggie’s back door.

  She paused as she reached for the screen door and looked up at him. “Well, good night.”

  John swallowed hard and stared into her large eyes, the color dancing from gray to green. Then he remembered to mumble, “Good night.”

  He wanted to lean in and kiss her, but he took a step back instead and shoved his hands in his pockets. With one last smile, she turned and disappeared into the dark kitchen. John really needed a distraction. Tossing a green Jolly Rancher into his mouth, he headed back to the cabin.

  Chapter Fourteen

  John frowned as he thought about the unused guitars and violins he had in storage. For a Saturday, the church teemed with an unusual number of people. Music poured from the sanctuary. Now the loud enthusiastic chords filled the church with joy, even the misplaced and out-of-tune ones. They could use some good instruments.

  “Um...Pastor John, I...um...” Rhody scratched the back of his neck as he stepped out of one of the small rooms, blocking John’s path. “I was wondering if I could ask you something.”

  “Sure, Rhody, how can I help you?” John bit back a smile as he watched the other man fidget and look everywhere else to avoid eye contact.

  “Well, the other day Katy...um, wanted to talk to you about our marriage. Do you remember?”

  “I remember. Have y’all gone to one of the counselors I told you about?” Dread filled John. He didn’t want to give out marriage advice.

  “No, I don’t think... Well, they don’t know us....” Rhody made a sound in his throat. “I just want to make her happy. She seems fine one moment, and then she’s sad. She’s always moping over these travel magazines, and I think about the crazy stories of women just taking off, no warning. I’m...I’m afraid one day she’s gonna leave.”

  “Maybe she just wants to travel. Where have y’all gone on vacation?” Regret swamped him as John thought of the vacation Carol had taken without him.

  “Vacation? With the store open seven days a week, I don’t have time.”

  John closed his eyes. The same excuse he’d given Carol every time she’d planned time together. God, You know I hate giving marriage advice. Please help me say what he needs to hear. “What about your honeymoon? Where did you take her?”

  “We went to San Antonio. It was the Stockshow and Rodeo. My brother got Grand Champion Steer that year.”

  Stopping himself from rolling his eyes, John put his hand on Rhody’s shoulder. “Listen, she wants to share an adventure with you. Let her pick a place to go then take her. Enjoy the gift God’s given you.”

  “You think that’s all it is? She wants a vacation with me?”

  “She loves you. Those four boys are her world. But sometimes we can feel our world is too small.”

  Rhody smiled. “I can do that. It’ll be hard covering the store, but maybe my parents can step in for a bit, or Vickie. Yeah, I can do this.” He clasped John’s shoulder. “Thank you.”

  John took a deep breath as he watched his friend head out the church door with a new joy in his step. He thought of the simple things he’d never get to do for Carol. Regret made his shoulders heavy.

  He continued to the sanctuary, hoping to hear the band practice. As he walked through the doors, only silence filled the space. Checking his watch, he frowned. He had missed them.

  Walking up front to the stage, he saw one of the old church guitars resting on its stand. He picked it up and played a few chords.

  He thought of Rhody and the store. It was so easy to let people down. The hours he had put into his music had destroyed his marriage. Putting the guitar down, he walked to the piano and sat, looking over the sheet music.

  Without thought, his fingers started dancing across the keys. Lorrie Ann brought the best out in the kids. Images of Lorrie Ann faded into memories of Carol working with the youth at his old church. He flinched when his fingers hit the wrong chord.

  He had taken Carol and his family for granted. His jaw locked. Worse, he had avoided responsibility by blaming the music God had given him. He had told Rhody to savor the gift of love. What a hypocrite.

  Did he deserve another chance at love? Muscle memory took over, and his fingers flew across the keys. The music he had kept locked up poured out of each individual cell inside him, and he surrounded himself in the emotions emptied from every note.

  * * *

  As Lorrie Ann headed back to the sanctuary, it surprised her to hear a piano. The carpeted hall silenced her footsteps. As she approached, the music started soft, drifting down the hall. The tone changed, and passion filled the air, rising high and swirling in a storm of chaos and fear. Then it quieted down again, a feeling of sweet hope in each note. That could not be one of the kids; it sounded too professional even on the ancient piano. She froze in the doorway.

  John sat, fingers on the worn keys, absorbed in the music he created. Locks of hair moved as his head dipped down then thrust back, eyes closed tight.

  The composition compelled her to move toward him. Energy and worship filled the empty pews. The disappearing sun reached through the colored glass, highlighting the man at the piano in a wave of rich color.

  It all came to a sudden crash when John slammed his fist on the white ivories and lowered his forehead to the top ledge of the piano. Heavy breaths rushed out of his lungs as if he had just finished a race.

  “John?”

  With a sharp jerk, he brought his face up, glaring at her.

  “What are you doing here?” The harsh voice did not sound like the man she had come to know.

  She took a step back. One thing she knew for a fact�
�men were unpredictable, especially if they felt threatened.

  “I’m sorry.” She stepped back to make her exit. “I wanted you to know that Uncle Billy said we can use the cherry picker.” She started to turn but paused. An overwhelming longing made her tell him what she had just experienced. “You just played the most beautiful, compelling piece of music I have ever heard.”

  “Thank you.” The words came from a still jaw. He looked back at the piano, his fingers casually running over the ivory keys and tickling little notes out of the old upright.

  She swallowed. Just leave, girl. Instead, she heard herself speaking again. “Can I ask a question?”

  Without looking up, he gave a half grin. “Sure.”

  “Do you ever play in church? I’ve never heard you.”

  He tilted his head back and combed his fingers through his hair, pushing the strands off his forehead. He shook his head.

  Lorrie Ann moved closer, pausing at the base of the three steps leading to the platform. “I don’t understand. You play music like that, but you don’t share with your congregation?”

  He sighed. “Nope.” He started playing with the keys again. “I was hired to preach, not make music.”

  “Um...I think they’d be okay with it. Have you ever played in front of people?”

  He laughed, closing the lid to the piano. John rested his elbows on the wood and intertwined his fingers. “A few thousand.”

  “Really?” This man always surprised her. “I don’t know a great deal about the Christian-music industry, but I think you’re very marketable.” She crossed the stage and laid her hand on the top of the piano. She knew music, and his was incredible.

  “It’s not what I want.”

  She knew people in the business that would give anything for a sound like his. “I don’t understand. If you don’t want to market your music, the least you could do is share with your church. Isn’t there some verse about it being a sin when you waste a talent God gave you?”

  “So, you’re going to come from L.A. and give me Bible lessons?” Anger edged his voice.